The Golden Guard Trilogy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Immediately after finishing Crystal Crowned, I knew I needed to dive further into this world. While I did not read this collection of novellas with the same fervor that I devoured Air Awakens, it was nice to get some insight on the characters I had grown so much to love. The added meddling of Nox/Princess Fiera was incredible to say the least
Jax and Erion (and Baldair)
This was a fun lil murder mystery– following three of our favorite men, Jax, Erion, and Baldair. It was fun to watch the trio dynamic form, from Baldair realizing people saw him as a socialite and not a responsible prince, to Jax’s early formation of his crass coping mechanism, and even Erion balancing his desire to get close to the crown. The added lore of the pirate queen was super fun.
Go to the coast, they said. It’ll be fun to hunt for lost pirate treasure, they said.
When reading through Air Awakens, I had sorely wished we had more of Raylynn than what we received. This did not disappoint. I thought the sword song was a neat element to include. Watching Baldair and Raylynn’s dynamic form was intriguing, and this book definitely shed light on their relationship beyond what I had previously thought from reading through Air Awakens.
No amount of footwork could prepare him for the unique blend of experiences and techniques that lived in every opponent he faced.
Out of the three, this was easily my favorite. Daniel and Craig are first introduced to us in Air Awakens as the reappointed guards for Vhalla during her trial. It was evident that these two were thick as thieves, and further reading of the series confirms this. To find out that their dynamic starts so rocky was absolutely hilarious. I love that both of these men grew from each other’s antics.
There was really only one thing that drove a man or woman to do something as extreme as fight in a war. Love. Be it for the love of another, the memory of a love lost, a rare yet possible love of a country, or more often than not, the most practical kind of love– love of gold.
